After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 22

When Qi Wang saw the Changling Guards, he immediately abandoned his plans and prepared to return home. After all, this was something that had to be handled privately—only by keeping it quiet could his uncle turn a blind eye. He was well aware of this.

But who exactly had benefited from the drugged Xie Caiqing?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Just as he was leaving the Imperial Garden, a Changling Guard stopped him.

Qi Wang’s face turned pale. His first instinct was that Xie Caiqing had reported him, and that the emperor, for the sake of appearances, had sent someone to arrest him. However, the Changling Guard merely bowed respectfully and said, “The Commander requests an audience with you in the back chamber.”

Qi Wang hesitated. “The Commander?”

The Changling Guard leaned in and whispered, “The top scholar has been poisoned, and there is no cure. The Commander has thought it over and believes you are the only one who can help.”

Qi Wang was stunned for a long moment before an overwhelming joy surged through him.

If Xie Zhe knew about this, then his uncle must know as well. Yet, despite knowing, his uncle still maintained this stance—it was clearly an implicit approval.

He was certainly furious with him, but given the circumstances, he also couldn’t afford for Xie Caiqing to suffer severe consequences simply because no one helped detoxify him. He might as well allow it to happen.

Qi Wang hurriedly followed.

….

Qi Wang rushed into the room, practically running.

Xie Caiqing immediately pressed his lips together, clenching his hands tightly.

The two Changling Guards who had been restraining him let go and stood up. After bowing to Qi Wang, they exited the room, even thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

Now, only the two of them remained.

The person sitting on the bed had slightly flushed skin, long, silky black hair cascading over his shoulders, lips tinted red, and his body bore marks of being touched—as if someone had already stolen a taste.

Qi Wang took one glance and felt both anger and desire surge simultaneously.

He knew how potent the drug was. Once it took effect, Xie Caiqing would cling to anyone. He must have already been unable to endure it earlier—who had he been intimate with before this? That was the only explanation for why he could restrain himself now instead of throwing himself at him immediately.

Furious, Qi Wang strode toward him and bellowed, “Who were you seducing just now?”

Xie Caiqing remained silent, his hand hidden in his sleeve clutching three poison needles.

For the first time in his life, he found himself at a loss, trapped in a situation with no easy escape.

There was no one else here. If he poisoned Qi Wang and knocked him out, he could flee—but that would mean his plan was ruined.

If Qi Wang showed any symptoms of poisoning, even if he later explained it as an instinctive act of self-defense, Xiao Yun would surely suspect him.

There were no absolute secrets in this world. The moment suspicion arose, someone with Xiao Yun’s resources would eventually uncover the truth.

And that was assuming Xiao Yun even cared to investigate. If he were in Xiao Yun’s position, he wouldn’t bother. Instead, he would rather kill first and ask questions later—eliminate any potential threats before they could escalate.

An emperor couldn’t afford to take risks.

As long as he didn’t respond when Qi Wang approached and touched him, he had only one option left.

—Seize the moment while no one was around. Contact Miluo and all his hidden agents in the imperial palace. With their help, make a swift escape from the palace and flee Northern Ning overnight.

But doing so would expose Miluo and all his operatives within Northern Ning’s Palace.

Xie Caiqing’s grip on the poison needles loosened slightly.

Qi Wang saw his silence and, despite knowing that his mind must be hazy from the drug, grew even angrier. He stormed toward the bed.

In a flash of realization, Xie Caiqing closed his eyes.

If he waited any longer, the drug’s effects would become uncontrollable. He would have no choice but to spend the night with Qi Wang.

And what if he became pregnant?

The thought flashed through his mind before he could suppress it.

As Qi Wang, eyes dark with lust, drew closer, an uncontrollable nausea surged up Xie Caiqing’s throat. For the first time in years, his well-honed mental defenses cracked, leaving him weak and teetering on the edge. His face turned pale.

Xiao Yun clearly desired him—so why would he throw him to Qi Wang?

He wasn’t trying to harm him; he just wanted a child.

Why did it have to be this difficult?

He had already risked everything—why was he still in this predicament?

Xie Caiqing gripped the bedframe tightly, forcing down his emotions.

He refused to believe that there was no way out of this.

He had faced countless dangers before and had always survived. He had gone up against formidable opponents time and again, only to learn, adapt, and eventually surpass them.

Xiao Yun was, without a doubt, the most dangerous and powerful adversary he had ever encountered—ruthless, unpredictable, holding an overwhelming advantage.

But he wasn’t invincible.

Suddenly, clarity struck him like a bolt of lightning.

Xie Caiqing smiled faintly.

Xiao Yun wanted him. That was his weakness.

He had handed him the leverage—so obvious, so undeniable.

He had been looking at this all wrong. None of that mattered. Xiao Yun wanted him.

He was merely suspicious of him.

If he could dispel that suspicion, Xiao Yun would have nothing left but his desire.

If he wanted him, he wouldn’t let Qi Wang touch him.

Even the mere thought of it would drive him mad.

Because those who conquer nations are also possessive conquerors in private. They claim what they desire without compromise—it’s in their nature.

Xie Caiqing had wanted to engage Xiao Yun in a romantic game. Xiao Yun, however, insisted on turning it into a battle of power and schemes.

So be it.

After all, Xie Caiqing had always been better at this game.

Isn’t it just about completely losing the possibility of saving himself, never being able to turn back?

So what?

Xie Caiqing smiled slightly.

He tilted his head slightly and finally caught sight of an inexplicably open window behind him.

…

In a vermilion pavilion very close to the side chamber.

Xie Zhe stood silently behind the emperor, his heart filled with fear toward the man before him—a fear that had lingered for years despite being dulled over time.

The man before him was his brother, but also the emperor. This meant he had a side that could jest and banter, but also a side that was ruthless and merciless.

That side had never been directed at him, but that did not mean it would never come, should he ever disobey.

At the very least, in all the years he had spent at Xiao Yun’s side, he had seen that side countless times, witnessed countless people being pushed from the heights of power into the abyss in an instant.

Having just witnessed everything that had transpired, though only partially understood, the fear that had long since settled in his heart surfaced once again.

His loyalty had unknowingly deepened over the years of watching from the sidelines, because he had come to understand one thing with absolute clarity—no one could outmaneuver the emperor.

One could either be absolutely loyal or be dead. There was no third path.

Even when an arrow was already nocked, he could push it aside without hesitation.

Xiao Yun propped his elbow against the railing of the pavilion, looking down at the side chamber partially concealed by weeping willows.

A window had been left open.

From here, he could clearly oversee everything inside the side chamber—nothing happening within could escape his gaze.

Yet from inside, it was nearly impossible to see here.

And at this moment, the two people inside had no time to look up anyway.

Xiao Yun lifted the sleeve of his robe, and Xie Zhe’s gaze landed on the pitch-black sleeve-mounted crossbow strapped to his right arm. His reverence and trepidation deepened, and he raised both hands above his head, offering up an arrow.

Xiao Yun accepted the short black arrow lazily.

The arrow was short, but its tip was incomparably sharp, glinting with a cold light. The head was faintly blackened, as if coated with a deadly poison.

Xiao Yun deftly slotted the arrow into the sleeve crossbow, subtly aiming the tip at the man sitting obediently on the bed in the side chamber. A cold killing intent flickered in his eyes, yet his lips curved into an amused smirk.

“Xie Zhe, do you think he’ll try to sneak out?”